Frank Vasquez, brand manager at KW Automotive North America Inc., is the latest SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) member to share his insight on how his company pivoted during the pandemic and utilized technology to keep business moving forward.
Get to know what tools his company has leaned on and what new trends he is seeing in sales and marketing in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: How has your company pivoted during the pandemic?
Frank Vasquez: Adjusting to the everchanging CDC guidelines created some interesting times, as I am sure we all experienced in some fashion. We were fortunate enough to remain open throughout the pandemic, but doing so certainly required some drastic changes. Creating alternating shifts and rearranging our work stations allowed us to comply with the social-distancing guidelines while minimizing the disruptions to normal business. The increased demand was the second major challenge we faced and required many additional resources to keep up with.
SEMA: What technology tools—new or old—have you leaned on recently?
FV: Cloud-based enterprise tools have become an absolute staple in workplace collaboration. As things went remote during the early onset of the pandemic, it was imperative that the entire team had access to drives and documents that could be shared and worked on together in real-time. Video conferencing and social content production have also been key to staying in touch with our customers and keeping them up-to-date with the new products we had been working on during a time when we were not able to visit them face-to-face.
SEMA: What new trends have you noticed with sales and marketing?
FV: Social-media marketing and digital content is on fire now more than ever before. It is abundantly clear that people use those channels to stay engaged in their hobbies, do their own research and share what they are passionate about so marketing through those channels is more important than ever.
SEMA: What, if any, changes in business do you feel will outlive the pandemic?
FV: I feel that teleconferencing is something that has proven to now be accessible for many and inherently useful. Being able to hop on a call with one person or large groups at a time is going to make keeping in touch with people much easier. There is still value in face-to-face visits, but I can see teleconferencing still being useful in allowing people to tune in to things they may otherwise not be able to attend or experience.
Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next ETTN member insight. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire and motivate other members to learn new tips and ideas. You may also be featured on ETTN’s social media and in SEMA eNews.
Chris Payne is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Payne is the owner of Truck Gurus and a leader in designing, building and marketing vehicle builds for the automotive aftermarket. An avid SEMA Show vehicle builder, Payne works directly with manufacturers to assist them on their journey to represent and grow their business and promote exposure of their products and accessories.
Find out what keeps Payne in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Chris Payne: Do not run before you walk.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
CP: Passion keeps me in the industry. I love being able to help companies grow, thrive and succeed. Being trusted by so many is an honor in and of itself.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
CP: If it is hot, probably at the lake with friends and family.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
CP: A notepad, pen and personality is all you need!
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
CP: I would go to lunch with Gale Banks; he is the man. It’s hard to think of anyone who has been a pioneer as long as he has. He is a living legend.
If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.
This meetup is the ideal opportunity for council members who are at Overland Expo West to meet new contacts and strengthen their connections. Attendees will openly network with other industry professionals and learn about the council resources and volunteer opportunities that are available in the industry.
Registration, although not required, is encouraged so that the councils can plan accordingly.
If you or your business is interested in joining PRI, visit www.performanceracing.com to read a full discussion on the
PRI website and show your support for Performance Racing
Industry.
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) recently announced a new membership program that allows all members of the racing community—from businesses to enthusiasts—to unite and show their passion for and support of motorsports. SEMA News spoke with PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer about the motivation behind the launch of this new program.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that the racing community unite to protect our businesses and our racing rights,” Meyer said. “PRI’s membership program now allows individuals to join the movement to push back against the challenges facing our industry and continue to support motorsports.”
As of press time, more than 300 businesses had voiced their commitment to the industry by joining PRI. In fact, there are a variety of contribution levels, each with its own exclusive benefits package. While some members have selected a maximum contribution at the Founding Member level of support ($2,500 per year times 10 years), individuals can join at the Pro Member level for just $40 a year. All membership tiers include the following slate of features:
Entrance to the PRI Trade Show for qualified attendees.
Save Our Race Cars Advocacy: Contribute to the fight to protect the racing community and ensure that racing continues and grows in the United States and internationally.
Inclusion in the Performance Racing Political Action Committee.
A 10% discount on PRI merchandise.
12 issues of PRI Magazine’s digital edition.
Subscription to the PRI eNewsletter.
Posting access on the PRI jobs board.
A membership card and welcome packet.
PRI stickers.
Dr. Meyer explained that the program allows enthusiasts to be part of PRI, and their support comes at a critical time.
“The racing industry is joining forces like never before, and we invite everyone—racers, enthusiasts, builders, track operators, sanctioning bodies and businesses—to be a part of this movement,” Meyer said. “This is the time to come together and unite.”
SEMA Chairman of the Board James Lawrence has been in love with cars since his youth. He got the Mustang he’d always wanted when he was 16. For the next 30 years his life, his family and his kids have been intertwined with cars—from racing to motorsports to go-karts. When he met his wife Melissa 16 years ago, she drove a twin-turbo Mustang to work. In fact they won two drag-racing championships together. With that history, Lawrence knows just how critical having support from enthusiasts can be when it comes to preserving the motorsports legacy.
“We are in the midst of some absolutely horrendous overreach when it comes to regulating our members’ ability to manufacture racing parts and to create emissions-legal components,” Lawrence said. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the position that essentially 75% of race cars are illegal. Their argument is that no vehicle originally produced as a production vehicle can ever be converted into a race car.”
Lawrence has been lobbying the government for years and has seen the power of tremendous public pressure to effect policy changes in Washington. However, he admits that there’s more work to be done despite all the effort.
Individuals can join PRI at the Pro Member level
for just $40 a year. To learn about all
membership levels and benefits visit www.performanceracing.com.
To help in the campaign, PRI has also created a political action committee called the Performance Racing PAC. The formation of the PAC creates a direct line between the motorsports community and lawmakers in our nation’s capital. As noted in the benefits section, members of PRI will also be included in the PAC and will receive exclusive updates on all its activities. Dr. Meyer explained that there’s work to be done at every level of government and why it’s truly an all-hands-on deck situation.
“We’re continuously identifying ways to support the interests of the racing community,” he said. “The membership program enables us to continue our advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels, and it provides the industry with legal support, education, research and world-class events and programs.”
Bre Fredritz with Callies Performance Products supported the PRI Membership Program immediately with a Founding Member contribution, and he’s hopeful that the industry will follow his company’s lead.
“If you want to be an industry leader in motorsports, you have to be fully involved with PRI,” Fredritz said. “Becoming a PRI Founding Member was a no-brainer for us. As a proud, independently owned American manufacturer, we support racing, the racing community, and the continual efforts to grow the motorsports industry.”
For Fredritz the motivation was crystal clear.
“We want to see our industry thrive for decades to come,” he said.
If you or your business is interested in joining, please take the time to read a full discussion on the PRI website. Visit www.performanceracing.com and show your support for Performance Racing Industry.
When it comes to trademark licensing, different companies have difference processes. Regardless of how your businesses chooses to approach the issue, a license is critical and can have a tremendous impact on how you work with manufacturers, resellers and even builders.
Learn about the importance of trademark licensing and what restoration businesses need to know by attending the SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) general membership meeting and trademark licensing discussion on Friday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).
In addition to a virtual panel discussion focused on trademark licensing, participants will find out what is planned for the upcoming ARMO Reception and New Product Awards presentation taking place at the 2021 SEMA Show, as well as other programs and resources available to members. The meeting, which is open to all current ARMO members and companies in the restoration industry, is the ideal time to address industry issues and connect with others in the market.
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-
NC) and Todd Belcher (right), Edelbrock’s
general manager of East Operations, tour
the company’s Sanford, North Carolina,
facility.
With Congress out of session during the past few weeks, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) has been busy meeting with his constituents and recently visited Edelbrock’s Sanford, North Carolina, facility for a tour and meeting with the company’s employees. As the Congressman for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, which stretches all the way from just outside of Charlotte to Fayetteville, Rep. Hudson represents the heart of race country, and it’s no secret that he is passionate about fighting for the industry in Washington. Rep. Hudson is the lead Republican co-sponsor of H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act) and has championed the legislation in the Energy & Commerce Committee.
Braden Liberg (left), Edelbrock’s director
of compliance & calibration engineering,
Rep. Hudson (center), and Todd Belcher
pose for a picture after the
Congressman’s meeting with Edelbrock
employees.
Todd Belcher, Edelbrock’s general manager of East Operations, led Rep. Hudson on a tour of the facility, which produces everything from carburetors to throttle bodies for electronic fuel-injection systems to pumps and fuel regulators. The Congressman had a chance to see how the company manufactures and performs quality control on its products. After touring the factory, Rep. Hudson addressed Edelbrock’s employees where he discussed the RPM Act and other key issues he’s been working on that impact the aftermarket.
“I really enjoyed my tour,” Rep. Hudson said. “Edelbrock is an incredible company with a real legacy. I’m proud that this is happening right here in Sanford. I think the people in this community would be proud if they knew the kind of innovation and skill and the world-class products that are being made here.”
For additional information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
SEMA members are invited to connect with Sean P. Holman, content director for Motor Trend’s Truck and Off-Road Group, during the SEMA Young Executives Network Facebook live chat on Wednesday, September 15, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
A longtime automotive enthusiast and journalist, Holman has been with the Motor Trend since 2003 and has held editorial staff positions at Truckin’, Truckin’s SUV and Four Wheeler, eventually taking on the editor positions at 4x4 Garage – JK Edition and Diesel Power. He is an avid truck-industry expert and consults with major truck manufacturers on current and future products. He is also the co-creator and co-host of the truck enthusiast podcast “The Truck Show Podcast with Lightning & Holman.”
SEMA members will have the opportunity to ask Holman questions live as he discusses technology coming to the off-road segment, including active suspension and EVs during this live Q&A event.
Here’s another look at the Expedition Timberline, this time with even less camo and with the Timberline logo fully exposed.
The prototype seen here, a refreshed ’22 model, clearly shows the new headlight treatment, along with several other features, including a unique grille treatment, high-clearance front fascia and orange recovery hooks. There's also a set of black wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain tires along with a fixed running board. Out back, the rear bumper also gets the high-clearance treatment, much like the front end. These elements are essentially identical to what we’re seeing on the Explorer Timberline, which Ford announced earlier this month.
The Expedition will also receive a refresh alongside the new Timberline model, both expected for the ’22 model year.
Here’s another look at the Expedition Timberline, this time with even less camo and with the Timberline logo fully exposed.
The prototype seen here, a refreshed ’22 model, clearly shows the new headlight treatment, along with several other features, including a unique grille treatment, high-clearance front fascia and orange recovery hooks. There's also a set of black wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain tires along with a fixed running board. Out back, the rear bumper also gets the high-clearance treatment, much like the front end. These elements are essentially identical to what we’re seeing on the Explorer Timberline, which Ford announced earlier this month.
The Expedition will also receive a refresh alongside the new Timberline model, both expected for the ’22 model year.
Steve Comella drove his ’68 Plymouth Barracuda from a
runner-up finish in last year’s event to earn his first
victory at the longest running, continuous, specialty race
in NHRA history.
Comella Drives ’68 Cuda to Victory at 20th Anniversary Dodge Hemi Challenge
The 20th anniversary edition of the Dodge Hemi Challenge saw a new winner crowned at Lucas Oil Raceway as Steve Comella drove his ’68 Plymouth Barracuda from a runner-up finish in last year’s event to earn his first victory at the longest running, continuous, specialty race in NHRA history.
Comella earned the victory from the No. 1 qualifier position with a dominant performance through eliminations to advance to the final, where he defeated Jim Daniels Jr., four-time (2016–2019) Dodge Hemi Challenge winner. He drove his Super Stock ’68 Cuda to an elapsed timed run of 8.364 seconds at 161.17 mph to beat his opponent’s 8.423-second/158.02-mph pass under the lights at Lucas Oil Raceway in a late-night showdown during the 67th annual Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals last Friday.
Fans will be treated to two NHRA Allstar Shootout
events in 2022, at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA
Gatornationals, March 10–13, and the Dodge//SRT
NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 31–September 5. Photo
courtesy: NHRA
NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car Allstar Shootouts to Debut in 2022
For the first time in four seasons, the NHRA will host a specialty race among the stars of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series nitro categories. Fans will be treated to two NHRA Allstar Shootout events in 2022, at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 10–13, and the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 31–September 5. The NHRA Allstar Shootout events will feature competition among the top eight NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers in the world. The shootout will utilize a call-out format with the No. 1 seed getting their first choice of opponent.
The first shootout of the season will be the Top Fuel NHRA Allstar Shootout at the 53rd annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, in Gainesville, Saturday, March 12. The eight-car field will be set based on a combination of season end and qualifying points at the 2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and NHRA Arizona Nationals. The Funny Car class will have their Funny Car NHRA Allstar Shootout at the 68th Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Sunday, September 4. Drivers will gain points toward the shootout from the 2021 Dodge//SRT NHRA US Nationals until the event before the 2022 Indianapolis event. For more information, visit nhra.com.
Keegan Kincaid took the victory and claimed the season
championship at the Crandon World Cup.
Keegan Kincaid Wins Crandon World Cup and Pro 2 Title
Despite entering Saturday’s Championship Off-Road finale more than 20 points out of the lead, Keegan Kincaid took the victory and claimed the season championship by the slimmest of margins. To back it up, he claimed his second career Crandon World Cup win by putting on a clinic in his Pro 2 truck, earning the biggest single-race payday of the season.
For Kincaid to reclaim the points lead in Saturday’s final points race of the season, a lot of things would have to go right. But the Crandon native focused on putting the #4 Lucas Oil/Cooper Tire/Vision Wheel truck where it needed to be, launching to the lead with a terrific holeshot, nabbing bonus points for leading at the halfway caution, and taking his fifth checkered flag of the season. The final tally saw Kincaid score 459 points—good enough to claim the championship by one point.
Sunday’s World Championship races saw Kincaid on the podium once again, as he kicked off the day with a third place finish in the morning’s Pro 2-only race. With a tough decision to make between sticking with the Pro 2 and switching to Pro 4 for the World Cup race at the end of the day, Kincaid chose track position with the Pro 2 rather than trying to chase the field down on a track that had shown plenty of wear throughout the day.
Kincaid now boasts three victories on World Championship Sunday at Crandon. Prior to this year’s World Cup, he won the 2015 Pro 2 World Championship race and 2016 World Cup, also in a Pro 2. His focus now turns to 2022, where he’ll return to the Pro 4 division full-time for the first time in multiple seasons.
The SRO America Series has finalized its 2022 schedule,
which visits some of the most iconic road courses in North
America.
SRO America Series Set to Visit Eight Venues in 2022
The SRO America Series has finalized its 2022 schedule, which visits some of the most iconic road courses in North America. In 2022, the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS will contest its fourth full season as part of SRO Motorsports Group. Sonoma Raceway retains its position as season opener, with the opening event set to run on April 15–17. The second round of the campaign is planned for May 20–22, with the location to be confirmed at a later date. Next up, Virginia International Raceway will stage its annual contest on June 10–12. Watkins Glen will host its race weekend on July 22–24, moving earlier in the season from its traditional Fall date. The only divergence between the series comes on August 5–7, when GT America powered by AWS breaks rank to join IndyCar on the streets of Nashville, forming part of the Music City Grand Prix.
All four categories will reunite at Road America on August 19–21, while Sebring International Raceway will host the series in Florida, September 23–25. The season will conclude when Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host on October 7–9, as a part of the Indianapolis 8 Hour. For more information, visit sro-america.com.
K1 Speed has broken ground on the nation’s first professional
outdoor electric kart racing course in Winchester, California.
K1 Circuit Breaks Ground on First Outdoor Electric Kart Track
Indoor kart racing operator K1 Speed has broken ground on the nation’s first professional outdoor electric kart racing course. K1 Circuit will be based in Winchester, California, approximately 80 miles from downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, 70 miles from Orange County and 30 miles from Riverside. Set to open in 2022, the track will host its own pro-level electric kart racing series, said to be the first of its kind. The competition karts will be developed by Italian manufacturer OTL Electro Kart and will utilize lithium batteries.
In addition, K1 Circuit will also welcome classes of gas-powered karts from major professional kart series such as SuperKarts USA (SKUSA), United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS), ROK Cup USA, Rotax Kart and more. Recreational kart enthusiasts will also be able to rent a ride as part of a new Arrive & Drive program, with details set to be announced at a later date. The 1.1-mile configurable circuit is designed by pro racer Rocky Moran Jr. The course will feature a straightaway approximately 900 feet in length, a universal track width of 28 feet, CIK/FIA curbing and up to 6% of elevation change. For more information, visit k1speed.com.
Frank Vasquez, brand manager at KW Automotive North America Inc., is the latest SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) member to share his insight on how his company pivoted during the pandemic and utilized technology to keep business moving forward.
Chris Payne is the 
Members of the SEMA 
When it comes to trademark licensing, different companies have difference processes. Regardless of how your businesses chooses to approach the issue, a license is critical and can have a tremendous impact on how you work with manufacturers, resellers and even builders. 
SEMA members are invited to connect with Sean P. Holman, content director for Motor Trend’s Truck and Off-Road Group, during the SEMA Young Executives Network Facebook live chat on Wednesday, September 15, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT). 
